"I grew up in Atlanta and went to North Fulton High School, and as a kid I was a big fan of the sport," said Bazemore, one of the 18 Funny Car stars racing this weekend at the 24th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at the Atlanta Dragway.

"I first saw the sport in person at the Atlanta Dragway in 1978. My best friend was into it as well, and our moms would drive us up to the track on Fridays and we'd go all weekend."

And for the 41-year-old Bazemore, who was the first Funny Car driver to break the 325-mph barrier, winning at his home track two years ago was the realization of a long-held vision.

"I always dreamed of racing and I always wanted to race on this track," he said. "And here we are, so many years later. I won the race here in 2002 and while it wasn't the pinnacle of my career, it was a very important race to me and it's something I sure would like to do again."

The 17-year veteran is sixth in the Funny Car points competition this year despite reaching the finals in two of the last six races. Bazemore was the Funny Car points runner-up in 2003, falling to eventual champion Tony Pedregon in Las Vegas, who also topped Bazemore in Commerce last May in the Funny Car semifinals.

A two-time U.S. Nationals champion, Bazemore earned three victories and five runner-up finishes a year ago. He's got 15 career Funny Car event wins and was second in the points race in 2001, third in 1997 and 1999 and has finished in the top five six times and in the top 10 11 times in the last 12 years.

"We've started to have some success," said Bazemore of his career. "Early on, in the late '80s and early '90s, we struggled with funding and a lack of experience and we didn't really have a good car. By the mid-90s, things started to pay off; we've built a better team and we've been one of the top two or three teams for the last five years.

"We won here in 2002 with a great car and a great team, and in 2003 we finished third. We were runners-up in 1999, which really was frustrating that day because we had engine problems near the finish line. It's very difficult to win these races, and (1999) really tested our resolve. But (Atlanta Dragway) has turned into a pretty good track for us. It's early on the schedule and getting the points is important. You always have an intense desire to win, but some wins at some places mean more than others from an emotional points of view. This is one of those places."

In spite of his impressive credentials, Bazemore is in the same boat as every other driver at Atlanta Dragway this weekend - he'll have to do well in qualifying heats to have a chance at Sunday's final eliminations.

"Pro Class drivers get to chances each day to qualify, and you best run counts," he said. "The fastest 16 cars qualify and I guess there will be 20-25 (entries) showing up for Funny Car. There are no guarantees or provisionals - you have to go out and earn your bacon every weekend."

Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragsters are scheduled for qualifying at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. today, and again at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Bazemore said his father and stepmother, as well as a number of old friends, will be in attendance this weekend, but about the only promise he can make to them is that he'll do his best.

"It's a fun time, but we're not here to visit - we're here to race and win," he said. "We'll get them some tickets and say hello and let them have at it. Then we'll go back to work."

Southern Nationals

Today-Sunday

ADDRESS: 500 E. Ridgeway Road, Commerce

ELEVATION: 1,100 feet

WEBSITE: www.nhra.com; www.atlantadragway.com

TICKET INFORMATION: (800) 884-6472; (404) 249-6400

HOW TO GET THERE: The track is located about 50 miles north of Atlanta on Interstate 85 at U.S. Highway 441. From Athens travel north on Highway 441 to Tanger Boulevard. Go left on Tanger Boulevard, then right on Ridgeway Road, and follow the signs to the track.